On October 5, 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a consumer warning about homeopathic teething gels and pills. In the warning, the FDA recommends that consumers stop using homeopathic teething gels and pills and dispose of any that are still in their possession.

Based on this FDA warning, as well as the and the potential side effects of the products, the American Academy of Pediatrics’ HealthyChildren.org has also cautioned parents to keep away from belladonna-containing teething tablets and gels with benzocaine.

Six years prior to this advisory, the FDA also released a similar warning on Oct. 23, 2010, wherein it said: “The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today is warning consumers that Hyland’s Teething Tablets may pose a risk to children. The FDA recommends that consumers not use this product and dispose of any in their possession. The manufacturer is issuing a recall of this product.

Hyland’s Teething Tablets are manufactured to contain a small amount of belladonna, a substance that can cause serious harm at larger doses. For such a product, it is important that the amount of belladonna be carefully controlled. FDA laboratory analysis, however, has found that Hyland’s Teething Tablets contain inconsistent amounts of belladonna. In addition, the FDA has received reports of serious adverse events in children taking this product that are consistent with belladonna toxicity. The FDA has also received reports of children who consumed more tablets than recommended, because the containers do not have child resistant caps.”

Hyland’s Inc.’s teething tablets are intended to provide in children temporary relief from teething symptoms. These tablets contain Belladonna, a plant that is said to be highly poisonous but with medicinal properties. Though Belladonna is used as an ingredient in a number of medications and is said to effectively provide the treatment and relief drug manufacturers say it would, various clinical studies, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the FDA all maintain that no homeopathic product, including Belladonna, has ever shown to be effective for any type of condition.

According to Hyland’s teething tablet lawsuit lawyers with Williams Kherkher, these teething tablets have been implicated in the deaths of at least 10 babies in the past six years and hundreds of children are said to have also suffered serious adverse side effects that may be attributed to belladonna, an ingredient in Hyland’s homeopathic teething tablets.

Despite the reports of deaths and adverse effects, and FDA’s past and recent warnings, Hyland’s Inc. remains confident in stating that its teething tablets are safe to use.

No doubt thousands of parents are confused while many children, maybe or maybe not due to Belladonna contained in Hyland’s teething tablet, continue to be harmed. Common Belladonna poisoning symptoms include seizures, vomiting, excessive sleepiness, difficulty breathing, skin flushing, constipation, difficulty urinating, muscle weakness, lethargy, confusion and blurred vision. Noticing any of these symptoms is more than enough sign that you should immediately consult with a lawyer, who may be able to help you find out the real cause of your child’s sufferings and decide on the best course of legal action to take.